The BRIDGE Watch Project is pleased to announce the winning paper of the Jean Monnet BRIDGE Watch Scientific Merit Award from the VIII Jean Monnet Network – BRIDGE Workshop, held on October 16, 2024, at the National University of Asunción, Paraguay, with the theme “Paths to Democracy: Lessons from the European Union and Latin America.”

Award-winning authors:

– Marta Isabel Cenese de Estigarribia: PhD in Educational Sciences. National University of Asunción, Paraguay.
– Cecilia Vuyk: Master’s in Public Management, Paraguay.

Title of the paper:

“Challenges and Progress in the Implementation of Local Participatory Governance Mechanisms in Paraguay”

The awarded study investigates the challenges and progress in the implementation of institutional mechanisms for local participatory governance in Paraguay. Through a comprehensive review of scientific literature and current legislation, the authors explore how these mechanisms contribute to sustainable development in the country. The article highlights that district development councils, neighborhood committees, community boards, and public hearings are examples of initiatives with specific regulations in Paraguay. However, the study concludes that these measures do not yet guarantee full participation and empowerment of local communities in managing the sustainable development of their territories.

Recognition and Publication

The Jean Monnet BRIDGE Watch Scientific Merit Award recognizes academic excellence and significant contributions to advancing studies on the European Union and Latin America. As part of the recognition, the article will be published in the Thematic Dossier of the 8th Edition of the Latin American Journal of European Studies, along with other selected articles that enrich the debate on the intersection between the two regions.

In addition to the awarded article, other papers selected by the Organizing Committee will also be published in the next edition of the journal, expanding the impact of the research conducted during the workshop: Amanda Avansini Arruda and Josiane Rose Petry Veronese, Federal University of Santa Catarina (Brazil); Guillermo Irigoitia and Rodolfo Rivas, National University of Asunción (Paraguay); Danielle de Ouro Mamed, Federal University of Santa Catarina (Brazil), Cecílio Arnaldo Rivas Ayala, Private University of the East (Paraguay), and Ener Vaneski Filho, University of Vale do Itajaí (Brazil); Liliana Bertoni, University of Buenos Aires (Argentina), and Elizabeth Accioly, European University of Lisbon (Portugal); Maximiliano Mendieta and Shirley Franco, Americana University (Paraguay); Ginette Isabel Rodrigo Romero, University of Seville (Spain); Alejandra Díaz, University of Buenos Aires (Argentina); Evelyn Téllez Carvajal, National Autonomous University of Mexico (Mexico), Abed Ieshua López Graniel and Valeria Estefanía Goche Mata, Autonomous University of Ciudad Juárez (Mexico); Ricardo Pérez Haristoy, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (Chile); Dulce María Domínguez Gaona, Luz Daniela Natividad Molina, and Jorge Antonio Breceda Pérez, Autonomous University of Ciudad Juárez (Mexico).

The Organizing Committee thanks all participants for their valuable contributions, which strengthened the event.